Radiator repair

[barreti]

Not one for this forum by any stretch of the imagination but I'm stuck and cant find the answer anywhere else. Sorry Ted but I really need help here.

I've managed to put a hole in one of the horizontal tubes of the brand new radiator for my LandRover.
I was attaching a new Kenlowe fan using the pins provided and I've popped a hole about as big as a drawing pin would make in one of the cross tubes.

I've heard I might be able to repair it by soldering it.

Can anyone pass on any tips for me or should I just pull it back out of the car and take it to a professional.

>>> Edited by barreti on Thursday 20th January 22:56

[Martin_S]

Don't bugger about trying to solder it - even if it works you'll never know when it will spring a leak and let you down.

Either get a new rad, or get it re-cored by a specialist.

I usually use Northern Radiators in Leeds - www.radiatorsonline.co.uk/ - very reasonable prices, very knowledgeable, good bunch of lads and lasses all round!

[Guillotine]

B & Q?

could gas solder it using central heating pipe solder/blowtorch.

if its a pin hole
if you know where it is
if its not in a flexing area.

wouldn't work normally coz of the above, you could get away with it.

[griffter]

Plastic Padding 'Leak Fix' (from Halfords) has worked wonders on two occasions for me - once on a oil cooler, once on a rad. It's like chewing gum which you press into the matrix to cover the hole and 'patch repair' it. Admittedly I'd only ever take such a 'cost effective' option on my commuter-banger - deffo not the Griff - but IME it works, it lasts, and it can be done in situ. If you're going to put a Kenlowe over the top, who's going to know?

[barreti]

Just for the record, I soldered it.
I used about 15ft of solder which has probably clogged that pipe up forever but I am sure it wont be missed.

So far so good.
Thanks for your help chaps.